For at least 10 years, I have been trying to find a proper replacement for the long-discontinued Prada Luna Rossa Extreme.While this release might not shine on the same level as Prada’s masterpiece, considering its price, I think it’s good enough for all of us longing for a pretty good oriental fougere fragrance. Without wasting your time, let me assure you that for under $20.00, you can blind buy this Mauboussin without any regret. This affordable price point makes it a steal, but my full thoughts are well worth reading.
TOP NOTES
Upon the first spray, I’m immediately greeted by a refreshing burst of lavender. It’s not an overly sweet or powdery lavender but rather a clean and aromatic one, reminiscent of a classic men’s cologne but with a semi-modern twist.
Along with this fantastic lavender, you will get a burst of bergamot, which I wish lasted a little longer. The rosemary adds a lovely herbal freshness, preventing the lavender from becoming too dominant.
HEART NOTES
Once the top notes start to fade, the heart begins to reveal itself. This is the stage where the fragrance develops a warm essence and a hint of spice. The presence of patchouli becomes apparent, contributing an earthy and somewhat woody richness that anchors the scent. It’s not an overpowering or unclean patchouli but a polished and seamlessly blended version.
BASE NOTES
The base is where, even though I cannot blame the fragrance since it’s so affordable, things kind of stop, and everything is done right at the top, and the middle stage gets muffled into, by today’s standards, a generic vanilla-woody base. I can’t be subjective and say yes, this is the best base ever since we have all seen this scent progression thousands of times. I love lavender, patchouli, and vanilla mix, which works for me.
OVERALL
My experience with this perfume has been quite positive. It’s a well-blended fragrance that presents a refined and adaptable scent profile with very good longevity, especially given its reasonable price. The base is where things go to the much familiar territory, and even if it’s a more than 20-year-old release, it could have been more interesting.
At one point, many YouTube reviewers said this was a hidden gem masterpiece, with which I agree only with the hidden gem point. Masterpiece? Not even close.
